Pirates invade children’s museum

Published 1:47 pm Thursday, September 20, 2007

Seafair has come and gone, and the excitement over the latest “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie has faded, but on Saturday, Everett’s Imagine Children’s Museum will host just the kind of event that will delight those who remain fascinated by pirates.

The museum’s High Seas Pirates’ Day, says special projects and volunteer coordinator Elizabeth Douglass, was born out of the staff’s realization that pirates still enjoy great popularity among children and adults, as is evident at every Seafair and simply makes sense, given the Northwest’s marine-centered geography.

For anyone who may have missed Seafair this year, the famous pirates and their boat, The Moby Duck, will be in attendance from 1 to 3 p.m., handing out treasure and just generally taking over the venue, but also allowing guests to come aboard their vessel.

In addition to that group of seafarers, the Black Diamond Pirates will be there as well, to sing, tell stories and share pirate history with guests.

As a bonus, the staff says, guests who come dressed as pirates will receive temporary pirate tattoos.

Other activities will include a pirate-inspired treasure hunt and treasure dig throughout the museum, readings of Melinda Long’s “How I Became a Pirate,” chances for children to make their own eye patches, pirate hats and more.

For those who get hungry amid the excitement, snow cones, kettle corn and other refreshments will be available.

And while the crafts, stories and entertainment are going on inside the museum, the front of the building, along Wall Street, will be alive with another part of the event. There, members of the Everett Police Department and county sheriff’s office volunteers will help families fill out child identification kits, while search and rescue personnel talk about what they do and provide an up-close look at their hover-craft. Also outside, Safe Kids will show guests how to properly choose and wear life jackets.

“High Seas Pirates’ Day gives an opportunity for adults and children to interact together, creating memories that will last,” Douglass said. If pirates keep their popularity, visitors can bet the museum’s pirates’ day will come back as well.

Imagine Children’s Museum photo

A couple of happy swashbucklers from a previous High Seas Pirates’ Day celebration enjoy the festivities at Imagine Children’s Museum.